Pages

Friday, March 2, 2018

Extreme Weather Runs

March weather can be so unpredictable. Kind of reminds me of running races. No matter how much you prepare, anything unexpected can happen. And the thing we have the least control over is the weather.

We've experience some unexpected weather throughout the years.

When we ran Las Vegas a few years back, I expected to have a pleasantly warm run through the desert among some palm trees. Instead, I will remember this as the coldest race I've ever run. Turns out they were having an unexpected freeze at that time.

A very bundled up Snow White and Pocahontas

Another unexpected cold race was in Florida. That is the LAST place I would have expected to be running one of my coldest races. Turns out the theme of the race was "Frozen". Proof that Mother Nature has a very good sense of humor.

The wettest race I've ever run was The 2016 April Fools race in Atlantic City. This was the first time I've ever run an entire race in the rain. I love this race and running the entire thing on the boardwalk so the rain didn't really bother me while I was running, but it spoiled the post race party because the rain was pretty cold once we were standing still.

The hottest, most humid race hands down is our local 4th of July race. I will complain about how hot and humid this race is every year but truth be told, I look forward to it and will probably run it again this year. I now know that it's not one to be "raced".

During the Shamrock Marathon Lacey was lucky enough to experience ALL kinds of weather on that 26.2 mile journey. There was extreme wind, rain, sleet, and even snow! The weather for this race has always been terrible. I suppose that is why she says she has no desire to run it again!

And although not during a race, I found my self running through a tornado warning last spring. Of course I didn't know this at the time. I started my run on the island and as I entered the woods, those tree branches were blowing like nobody's business! It actually was a little eerie. As I ran by the water I saw all the waves and the white caps. Thank goodness I was listening to the radio and not my playlist because that is when I heard the tornado warning. Needless to say I finished two miles and got out of there!What extreme race weather have you experienced?Be sure to check out the Friday 5 Topics for March and stay tuned for April as we have some surprises in store for those who link up!

47 comments:

I usually avoid running outside in really extreme weather, but Ive definitely run in the heat, snow, sleet, and rain, and wind. I think one of the toughest races for me was the Houston marathon when it was freezing and raining the whole time. The worst was getting back to the hotel after the race soaking wet and freezing cold!

You've probably heard me mention the Dam to Dam race...I think it was my 2nd or 3rd time running it, but it was raining as we drove the hour to get there, raining at the start line, and rained all the way until about the 9-mile mark. But, it still, to this day, is my favorite race every year. I'm just thankful all that rain happened on a warm summer day and not in the early spring or late fall or it would have really been miserable.

Living in the Midwest, we experience the most extremes of weather--sometimes all in one day! The most memorable was the Lakefront 10 miler I ran a few years ago. We started the race in the upper 60s and shorts/tanks--but when we finished, the wind had turned off of Lake Michigan and the temperatures plunged into the 40s with clouds and sprinkles.

I did Vegas in 2011. Still my coldest half (although not my coldest race by far) on record, although Wineglass was a close second. ZOOMA Annapolis was probably my hottest humid race -- Craft Classic Phoenix was my hottest dry race (and like 30 minutes faster than ZOOMA).

I've definitely run in the snow, only a handful of times in ice (with something on those running shoes!), and through thunderstorms (not intentionally) several times. Thankfully, never ran in a tornado!

Everyone says should good things about the NJ April Fool's Half, and I haven't done NJ yet, but damn, weather is such a crapshoot at that time of year. I can tell you for sure I'm not doing it this year!

I ran Boston in 2004 (start 85 degrees), Boston in 2007 in a Nor'easter and the "hot Chicago" in 2007. Ugh, ugh and ugh! I remember running a race so rainy in Central Park that my contacts got washed out and the pictures were practically X rated! I ran a few that had some lightning and other elements and low, low temps (but not in FL or Vegas ;)) Oh the memories!

Weather truly is crazy and anything can happen. Chicago '07 was my first marathon. It climbed to 93 degrees with 90% humidity. Ugh. I ran MCM in 2012 and evacuated immediately at the finish line as Hurricane Sandy bore down. 30mph headwinds gusting to 60 mph at NYCM 2014. I've run in torrential rain, severe thunderstorms when there's absolutely nowhere to take cover. Sleet, ice, snow...oh the stories I can tell! Haha!

So funny you just posted this today because I'm a teacher and schools and the government are closed because of a crazy wind storm. You've definitely ran through some crazy weather, I usually don't like even running in the rain.

I've been lucky and haven't run in extreme weather. I did run in very humid weather in Florida for WDW 2014, and my fingers swelled up. I knew I needed salt, so I ate all the contents of the Disney box.

I remember training last year for the HM when it was snowing & nearly zero degrees. & my treadmill broke. I cant believe I went out to the park & ran in it. ... though I do think running in rain made me colder

I will never forget when I ran the St. Pat's Double (5k followed by 10k) back in March 2015. It sleeted during the race. Never again do I want to run in sleet. It hurts when the pellets hit your face and it makes the course so slippery!

Last year during the Harrisburg Mile, we got torrential rain right before our heat was about to run. We got soaked and the rain wasn’t stopping, so we took off running, We just wanted to get it done by then.

Geez, a tornado warning!! You girls really have run in all sorts of crazy weather! A cold rain is my least favorite to run in and will avoid it like the plague! But ..you're right, you never know what race day will bring so you just have to embrace the suck and hit the road! :)

Oh my gosh, I don't think I run in extreme weather! I have a rule not to run when the weather is dangerous. However, I think I run in much colder weather than most people do. But I make sure I don't venture more than a mile from my house as to play it safe.

This morning there was a wind advisory- 60mph gusts! It was a rest day for me though because I'm running a race tomorrow. I'm not RACING it, but it is 20 miles.

Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today.

Connect with us

Fairytales and Fitness by Lacey and Meranda

About Us

We are two sisters who are runners and Disney lovers. On this blog we tell our stories of traveling, training, races, ( and a few tips we've learned along the way). We talk about products we've tried and all the things that bring us joy (including our yellow Labradors). Thanks for visiting and we hope you enjoy what you read.